Prescribing a Business Research Agenda to Address Human Health Grand Challenges

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed massive flaws in human health systems worldwide. Communities with higher health deficiencies suffered even more drastic effects when COVID-19 interacted with pre-existing diseases—making COVID a more lethal virus. Considering that business can only thrive if their stakeholders enjoy good health and well-being, the critical role of business in improving health spans from occupational health and public health policy and regulations to the health of external stakeholders such as consumers and the surrounding communities. Despite the intrinsic connection between business and human health, business scholars have mainly paid attention to internal stakeholders, such as employees, and public health policy and regulations as they directly affect business, while overlooking the impact of business on external stakeholder health. This symposium intends to open a place for discussion of the role of business in tackling human health challenges and the impact of business on the health of external stakeholders such as consumers and communities. This symposium will also be a springboard to propose a research agenda for business and management scholars interested in health and the advancement in the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for not only SDG 3 on Good Health and Well-being but also related SDGs such as SDG 2 on Zero Hunger and SDG 13 on Climate Action. Coproducing Social Impact Through a Community-Empowered Human Resource Model Presenter: Andrea Maria Prado; INCAE Business School Presenter: Andy Pearson; INCAE Business School Presenter: Silvia Dorado; U. of Massachusetts, Boston Presenter: Ying Chen; U. of Rhode Island Health-Washing in Business Presenter: Remy Balarezo; U. de Piura Presenter: Ivan Montiel; City U. of New York, Baruch College Evaluating the Impacts of Corporate Health Initiatives Presenter: Bryan W. Husted; Tecnologico de Monterrey Presenter: Irene Henriques; York U. Presenter: Lilia Raquel Rojas-Cruz; EGADE Business School, Tecnológico de Monterrey